Aerial vessel.



U. G. RQWLANBV AERIAL VESSEL. APPLICATION FILED D110- 27, 1909.

i 99?,38565 Patented Jm 'n, 1911.

. '5 BHEET8-SEEET 1.

4; a ATTORNEYS (7-. O. ROWLAND AERIAL VESSEL. ArrmoA rron 311,31) DEG-27, 190

Patente July 11, 1911.

WITNESSES:

C. O. ROWLAND. AERIAL VESSEL. APPLIGATION.IILBD DEG- 27,1909.

Y Patented July 11,1911.

4 SHEBTS-SHEET 4.

ATTORNEYS 1b v d 1 -,Be it :lmowrjhat'jl, CHARLES QBEDL A H- "ROW-LAND,a :eitlzen' of the UnitedVStates;

, newjandlmprowedAerial Vessel, of whieh 1 .My invention-still furtherembodies C61";

the direetionio .":thfj mwi:Fi 1 tionelside e1 evatieniqfjone "of theplan'es,1

rereegemw time;

OBEDIAH RoWLAN-nfor CHICAGOyILLINUIS. 7

"and'ga resident of --Chi'cag0,-.in the county of 'Cook'and'State0f--Illinois,- have invented a t Ql Qui Wi-ng iS" a1"f1ill, Clear, andexact deson e011,. 1

y inyeiition I reletes to aerial vessels,"inore particularly itdthat'type knowp fa'sfl'heayier 1spcificafionbrnewsman: hPa-terrted see reflexii. 5 A plieati onfild pecember 2?, lens. sensing 535,112.

=adepted'toi-iieyi' 'gete irifl the'ziir, various air currents, 1n theatmosphere being employed to control" end propel the vsselin Additiontdu; driving meansrj'pmyided Ion "the yessel i i'c ililoiie easily diretthe same. i v I i Myf }yentloii flirther-relates'to a machine for aerialnaylggition' provided with verious embo y ex t foi my'inventioiil'resides m a body h g: losed front end, an open gem same.

' further embodiment inveriti'oii' resides in a body having a closedfront end, eri openirear end and "'a} longitudinal openlngfiri the underside of the body',:"- i1nd exthaustl means in the body, for drawing air?into thesame throughjthe longitildinal opens ing and exhaustingthesaidair rearwardly throu h the rear end 01:

a forward "motion to theibody.

' Reference tobe to the iceo riip dny ,fice'tion'; in which; similarehara ters of reference denoteporrespondlngparts 1,11 all the yiew's lh'whlch, I t

' is l a side eleyatioi of Filly inyen lines Fig. 2' is "a lan iew 'Of'm invent-ion;

parts being broken away to show. the 11nd teke'n Ones-u i -rsg.

the body togive forpropelling 'the sa e endcon-I gtrolled 'byanloperetor seated the frame- :OfEthe ves'se t I git'iidinejl openinginf'the 'ujr dialside 5f the body, and a irai eworkjsus pended from thesaidbodyiand niea'ns on" the-,jframework for operatingfith wagiofus" Yflirts ypf thewe'ssel for guiding and propel? .ing,dreyyings, formingafpartof this sped-- ;;iorming a pprt -efiaeeq iiwentiere egd -mw-.

"shown dotted lines.

. -Referrmg more zpartieularlyto the vari- AERIAL VESSEL.

ihg 'srnal-ler plaiies higedly conneeted thereto F1g.- 5 1s afragmentary perspective View of a portion of the framework, showing thebeeripg for the shafts;a-nd'Fig. '6 is a perspeetivel View of'one of,the connecting memhers for securingjthe "planes to the frame- Work,portion oftheframework ous figures; a cylindrical shaped bodylO, isprovided, having a; conical shaped front end- 11, adapted to completelyclose that end of the body, the rear end of the same beingleft opeii'forthe exit of air contained in the body. In the under-side of thebodylO-en opeping- '12', is provided, extending longit'11d1r1ally"thelength'of thebody. 0n the upper side of the body 10 are disposedsuitable exhaust valves 13, hihgedly connected to the body .lObyhinge""members l4, and

'th'e'said valves':13 have thereon releasing;

members15, for pe-rfnittiilgof quiekly-open-.

'ing the valves iswhen a pull is exerted on the. releasihg'i members.15.Centrally'disposed in the body 10111161 extending long? "tlidinallystherein, is eshaft lfiyand secured at frequent intervals'on the shaftareex- =haust-fans 17, having=e= eonvenient number of engularly shapedblades thereoirfor exw.

Citing the atmosphere'when the fans are re;v

ffVOlVEd. :Atthe reelend-of the body-101a; icirc'ular rudder 18; ispivotally mounted,

and isadfiptedtoremovsbly close-thatend ofthe-body.

Suspended Work 19, comprising longitudinal members 20, and suitableupright and cross braces 21 from the body 10 a frame Centrallymounted'in the framework 19 are suitable "driving mea'iis 22,:1ndbeneeththe same is disposed on the j framework 19, a seat 23' adaptedfor the use of an operator 24.

Connectedwith the driving meansQQ an'd journaled t0 the frzimeworkl?) bysuitable baringsflfi, are horizontally disposedshaiits 26;;with eaehofthe said-shafts having an end of the samejcon neetedto universal jolnts27 mounted on 'thefrqmework 19 by means of hangers -28. Conneeted to the'u iyersal joints 27 are. propeller shafts 29;, having Se'cured'tlie'reoh suitable propellers 30., Semieirculer'supports orholding"members 31 (lire seepred to the. propeller shafts 29, and

" atteiehed to the en'd'of these supports "ropes "32; for moving'thepropellers 5(l,wh1eh 'are eoiltrolled by hand levers 33, eitherverticelly' or horizontellyyas'willbe easily seen I by referring toFig. 1. Secured to the mem- 'bers of the exhaust valves 13 are. ropes34,

leading by means of pulleys to'a lever-35, near the operators seat. Onthe shaft 16 are secured suitable toothed wheels 36, over .which arepassed chains 37, connecting the said shafts 16 with the operatingshafts 26,

which also have toothed wheels over which the chains 37 are passed, andthe r'otationof the fans 17 on the shaft 16 is controlled by ahand-wheel 38, mounted on the framework 19.

At the upper part of the framework 19 on both sides of the body 10,similar planes 39, are slidably secured to the framework 19 by means ofhinge members 40,fc0nlprising a sleeve 41, adapted to be fixedlyheld onbraces 20 and having hinged thereto a second sleeve 42, adapted to befixedly'\s'e-.

cured to a bar on the-planes 39. Thus. it

' .will-be seen that the'planes 39 can be relatively tilted at variousangles and for the purpose of controlling the said planes a rope 43 iswound'on a shaft 44, secured to a toothed segment 45, pivoted on theframework 19, and the said rope secured to the outer ends of the planes39, on the right side of the body is passed over the body and endlessrope *-46 is connected with the braces. and secured o a wheel 46",. sothat by oper-v ating the wheel 46*, the inner ends of the W wardly anddownwardly, the braces 20 -on.

which the\planes are mounted are adapted to move vertically on theframework'and an p'lales 39 can beconveniently raised or lowere It willbe understood that owing to the connections between the planes. 39 andthe wheel 463, when the wheel is operated the planes on one side willincline upwardly while the planes on the other side will 1nclinedownwardly, and the same is true of the planes when the wheel 46* isoperated,

except that when the wheel 46 is.employed the outer ends of the planesmove and when the wheel 46* is employedthe inner ends of the planes aremoved. Beneath the'opening 12 of the body 10 is a horizontally disposedplane 48, extending the entire length of the opening 12 and secured tothe uprights 21 of the framework 19. .By referring to Fig. 4 it will beseen .thateach of. the planes '39 comprises straight portions 49 and acurved port-ion 50, and hingedly mounted on the curved portion 50 areseveral smaller planes 51, adapted to adjust themselves relatively tothe direction of the ckirrentsfof air throughwhich they pass whenezaer'ial vessel is in operation. Smaller'plan s51 are alsoriounted atfrequent. intervals on the horizontal plane 48, and in' the lowe setofplanes 39' suitable openings 52, are prpvided, to allow.

the air striking the lower p anes'. 39 to rush u'pwardlythrough theopeniil s 52-and contact with the upper set of pla es .39.

The operation of my aerial vessel is as follows: When it is desired: to

\ ropel the vessel through space, the drivin means 22 are set in motionby the operator 24 seated in the seat. 23 ;.on the framework 19. The"fans 17 in the body 10 being connected to theishafts !6, revolve as doalso the propellers 30 secured by\means of the universal couplings tothe eirds of the shafts. The revolving pf-theapropellers30- causes the.vessel to be v propelled forwardly... In aid irate of speec'l drawairinto the body 10 and exhaust the same rearward y force through theopen-rear e d of the body 10, and this operatioma ds eatly tov the speedof the vessel. The irpular rudder 18 ope lers 30, e11

in combination, with the ables the vessel to\be easily dire tedindirection, while the planes 39 desired angle cause'the aerialwe sel torise.

upwardly. It will be noted that vhen. the

tion to this the fans 1? revolvin g at a highwith great I ilted to l ffans '1' 7\revolve, theair drawn 'nto he,body'-- 10 is drawn from the"top of thehorizontal the uppeh side ofthe "plane and the 1 resulttheheavier,pressure\jbelow the plane 48.

are self-adjhsting, depending entirely .upon' the direction of the aircurrenis which strike the said planes, thus addinernateri-Q It will alsobe noted that the planes 51. onthe larger planes 39 a1'1d 48,

ally to the. stability of the .vesse When it is desired to descend,the'rudcer 18 is moved to close the rearend of the body 10,

the exhaust valves are released, and \thegair drawn into the body 10through the opening '12 is forced upwardly and out of the exhaust valves.13 and causes the vessel to gradually descend. If the driving meansshould unexpectedly cease to operate, .the-

adjustable. planes can be quickly inclined downwardly 'to form aparachute,- and the vessel will descend radually. I I

Although I have described. my aerial ves-- sel as shown in the drawings,it will be clearly understood that I do not limit'myself to the preciseco nstruction'as illustrated,

the scope of my invention being' defined in the appended claims. Havingthus described my invention I claim as new andv desire to" securebyLetters Patent-:.

1. In anaerial vessel, the combination of a body provided with a closedfront .end,an*

This reduces the air pressu re- I on {9 I I i lng novement 1s a -rlsingoftheaaerlal vesthe under side of the body and framework I suspendedfrom the body, adpistnble planes mounted on the said iruinework on bothopen rear end and a longitudinal opening in sides of the said body,means for adjusting the. said planes, :1 horizontally disposed planeseeured to the saidfrmneworl: beneath the said body, exhaust fans in'thesaid body, for drawing ztir into the body through the said opening andexhausting the said air rearwurdly out of the said rear end of the saidbody. and means secured to the'sziid framework for operating the saidfans.

In on serial vessel, the combination of a body provided with a closedtront end, an open renr end and. alongitudinal opening in the under sideof the body in juxtaposition to the said longitudinal opening, ahorizontelly disposed plane rigidlysecured beneath the body, andut'romework suspended from the body, adjustable planes mounted onthesaid framework on both sides of the siid body, means -tor adjustingthe saidplanes, exhaust fans in the said body, for

drawing air into the body througlrthe said longitudinal openingand-exhausting the said air rearwardly tl irough the said rear 4 end ofthe said body, and guiding means on the said body for guiding the saidVessel.

3. In an aerial vessel, the combination of a body provided with a closedfront end, an open rear end and :1 longitudinal opening in the underside-0f the body, and a. frame- Work suspended from the body, exhaustfans in the seid body, for drawing air into the body through the studopening and exhaustdng the said air rearwardly through the said rear endof the body, means for actuating the said fans, exhaust valves on the upjJQI'SlClG of the said body, means in the said framework for operatingthe said valves, adjustable planes mounted on the said framework on bothsides of the said body, means for operating. the said planes, athorizontally disposed plane securedto the said framework beneath thesaid body, and a circular rudder mounted in the said body for guidingthe said vessel.

at. In an aerial vessel, the combination of.

a body provided with a closed front enchen open rear end und'alongitudinal opening in the under side of the body, and u lItIITIE' worksuspended from, the said body, adjustable planes mounted on the saidframework and disposed on both sides of the. stud body,

' a horizontal plane secured to the said framework beneath the saidbody, exhaust-fans in I the said bodyifor exhausting air from the upperside of the said planes, propellers mounted on both ends of the saidtrams- WOli and adapted to move vertically and horizontally, means for"rotating the said propellers to propel the said vessel, and

means on the saidt'ran'iework tor-operating the said adjustable planes.

I I i v 5. nan aerial Vessel, the combination or a body and "a frameworksuspended from the body, a horizontally disposed plane rigidly securedbeneath the body,'enhaust fans in the body, for exhausting air fromthe-body received therein through at longi 1 .tudinal opening in theunder side of the body, a circular rudder .pivotally mounted at one endof the body, a vertical propeller disposed at each end of the saidfniinevlorlr,

the said propellers being adapted to move vertically and'horizont-ally,in eens tor-controlling the degree of sngulorityof the said propellers,and driving moons secured to the said framework for rotating; the saidpropellers to propel-the said vessel.

6. In an aerial vessel, the combination of a, cylindrical "body providedwith a closed front end, an open rear end and Ya, longitudinal openingin the under side of the body, exhaust fans in the said body, fordrawing air into the body' through the said longitudinal opening andexhausting. said air retir wurdly through thesaidrear end, exhaustvalves disposed on the upper side of the said body," a circular rudderpivot-ally mounted at one end or the said body and adopted to removublyclose the open end of the said body, and a framework suspended,

tro rn the said body, adjustsblejseli-sotuated planes .mounted on thesaid framework on both sides of the said body, means for op erating thesaid planes, aliorizontally disposed self-sctuated plane'seonred to thesaid framework; beneath thesaid body, vertically disposed propellers oncash-end of the said frarneWork,ni-eans for operating the saidpropellers to impart either a vertioal or horizontal motion to'the some,means for: rotating the said propellers, and means for independentlyoperating the said rudder secured to the said body and said adjustableplanes secured to the said framework.

7. In an aerial Vessel, the combination of a cylindrical body closed atthe front end and open at the rear end and the said body hav- 111g alongitudinal opening in the under side of the some, a horizontallydisposed.

plane rigidly secured beneath the body, and a framework suspended fromthe body,

planes'mounted on the framework on both sides of the said body end thesaid planes comprising estraight portion and a curyed portion, the saidcurved portion having smaller self-actuated planes hinged thereon,

means on the framework for adjusting the said planes, and Ineans on thesaid framework for operating the said'vessel.

'8. In an aerialvessel, the combination of l 'a o lind-rical body closedat the front end 2m open at-the rear, and, the said body having alongitudinal opening in the under side of the same,-and a frameworksuspended from the said'body, vertically disposed "'huust fans in thesaid body, for drawing air into the body and exhausting the said airrearwardlythrough the said rear end, manually controlled means foroperating the said fans, a circular rudder pivotally mounted at one endof the said body and adapted to close the end of the cylinder, manuallycontrolled means secured to the said framework for-operating thesaidrudder, exhaust valves disposed on the upper side pf the said' body,manually controlled means for operating the said valves, adjustablesupporting planes hingedly mounted on the said framework on both sidesof the said body, manually controlled means secured to the saidframework for adjusting the said planes, a horizontally disposed planesecured to the said framework beneath the said body, self-adjustingmeans comprising planes hingedly connected to the said'iad justableplanes and the said horizontally disposed planes, propellers mounted tomove vertically and horizontally and disposed on each end of the saidframework, driving ineansfor driving theusaid propellers to drive thesaid vessel, and manually controlled means secured to the said frameworkand the saidpropellers tosm'ove thesame vertically 01g horizontally.

In testimony whereof-I have signed imy name to this specification in thepresence two subscribing Witnesses.

CHARLES OBEDIAH ROWLAND.

Witnesseszp THOMAS HENRY F EENEY, FRANK LA RoY GOULD.-

